Wescom says harassment claim near Pag-asa Island 'improbable'

Western Command spokesman Colonel Stephen Penetrante said Thursday the alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen by Chinese forces near Pag-asa Island was highly improbable and "unlikely to happen."

"Regarding po sa alleged harassment daw na incident, nakita po after verification and investigation of the facts surrounding the incident na highly-improbable po, not-likely to happen," Penetrante told Dobol B sa News TV.

Penetrante explained that based on military's automatic identification system, which he insisted was accurate, all the Chinese vessels, on that day the alleged harassment took place, were not moving.

Penetrante said the AIS could determine the type of vessel and its speed and location.

"Nakita po doon on the date na sinasabi niyang may harassment, 24th of January, 'yung barko po ng Coast Guard at saka tatlo pa pong Chinese fishing vessels were stationary po, not moving po sa vicinity ng sandbar two. Hindi po gumagalaw..." Penetrante said.

Fisherman Larry Hugo claimed that Chinese vessels have barred them from going to the sandbar to fish.

He appealed to the national government to take action on this matter as their livelihood was already affected.

Recently, China passed a law that explicitly allows the Chinese Coast Guard to open fire on foreign vessels.

Penetrante has urged local fishermen to report to authorities if they experience any form of harassment by Beijing.

Likewise, he advised them to continue their fishing rights in the area. —LBG, GMA News